Casket positioning device



1938- G. c. JAMISON I CASKET POSITIONING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1957 I i fi r m f a A. f w N Mm, MM MM Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES P TENT orrlbs GASKET POSITIONING DEVICE George C. Jamison, Wapello, Iowa Application April 2'7, 1937, Serial N0.'139, 2 1 7 I Claims.

= 10 is being held in a raised position by the pallbearers in order to properly position the truck under the casket, and thereby eliminate the possibility of one side or end of the casket being so overbalanced that it is likely to tip the truck over.

A further object is to provide a positioning device which is readily associable with a casket truck and serves the purpose of gauging the end of the casket relative to the truck so that the casket can be centered on the truck in a facile manner.

Another object is to provide a positioning device which is so pivoted to the truck that it can be readily manipulated by one of the attendants to a position where a positioning element of the positioning device may engage the end of the casket while the casket is stillbeing supported by the pallbearers above the casket truck, after which the casket may be lowered to tendants can be certain that it will be properly centered thereon.

Still a further object is to provide a casket positioning device which can be readily folded 35 into a small space for transportation.

With theseand other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,

pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a casket positioning device embodying my invention showing it extended to a position for use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing a locking means for a portion of. the positioning element which is extensible.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a clamp clamped t one of the corner posts of a truck and used for connecting the positioning device of Figure l to the truck.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the clamp 55 shown in Figure 3 as viewed in the direction of therewith; and

supported position on the truck and the atenlargement 26 of rubber or the like.

the arrow 4 thereadjacent andshowing a portion of the positioning element associated therewith.

Figure 5 is a plan diagrammatical view of a casket truck and my positioning device associated Figure 6 is a side elevational diagram of the same.

On the accompanying'drawing I have used the reference character E to indicate an elongated element, A a pair of arms for connecting the 10 same to a casket truck T, and P a positioning element to coact with the casket C.

The elongatedelement E comprises a pair of tubes l0 and i2 telescopically associated with each other. These may be locked in various l5 adjusted relations by a loo-kingpin l4, shown in Figure 2, which is slidable relative to an enlarged end l6 of the tube I0. I A spring I8 is carried by the enlargement IE to normally urge the pin to enter one of. a series of perforations' 20 20 spaced along the bottom of the tube 12.

The top of the tube I2 is provided with an indicating line 22, while the' enlargement I6 is provided with an arrow or other indicating mark 24 to indicate by their alinement that the perfo- 25 rations 26 are properly alined with the pin l4.

The arms A are pivoted to a head 26 on the forward end of the tube Iii-and are connected by links 28 to a sleeve 38 slidable along the tube In. The head 26 is preferably provided with an 30 The outer ends ofthe arms A are provided with pins 32 connected rigidly thereto. For association with the pins 32 I provide socket members 34 which have hubs 36 rotatably mounted on studs 38. Each stud 38 is supported by a clamp member 40 to which a companion clamp member 42 is secured by clamp bolts 44. 'The clamp members it and 42 are adapted for clamping around corner posts 45 of the casket truck T', 40 two of the clamp devices being used, one for each pin 32.

The studs 38 have nuts 48 thereon between which and the socket member hubs 36 springs 58 are interposed. The hubs 36 are provided 45 with lugs 52 for coaction at times with notches 54 of the clamp members 40.

The positioning element P comprises a base plate 56 having a pair of arms 58 extending upwardly therefrom and which are connected together by a rod-like handle 60.

Practical operation In the operation of my casket positioning device, the arms A are first extended from their dotted position of Figure 1 to their full line position. The dotted position illustrates how the positioning device may be folded for convenience in transportation. The socket members 34, of course, have been previously attached to two corner posts of the truck T and remain thereon as a permanent installation.

The link connections 28 of the positioning element limit the pins 32 to equal distances from the tube I0, regardless of the position of the sleeve 30 relative to the tube. The pins .32, of course, are spread the proper distance for reception in the spaced sockets 34, which distance is determined by the amount of extension laterally of the truck, these trucks being usually of extensible nature both laterally and longitudinally.

The arrangement of the links 28 also insures that the elongated element E will beboth cen-- tered relative to the truck and will extend along the center line of the truck which is indicated at CL in Figure Caskets are of different'lengths. Accordingly before the funeral, the funeral director, knowing the length of the casket, can set the positioning element P at the proper distance from the pins 32. To facilitate this operation, graduation marks 62 are provided on the tube l2 whichmay be numbered ininches or feet of the casket length in an obvious manner.

As the pallbearers bring the casket C to a positionover the truck T, they, of course, can approximate the center, but with my device the handle 60 can be raised, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 6, so that the base plate 56 of the positioning element P will be engaged by the bottom forward corner of the casket, as it is brought to position over the truck.

The two arms 58 are then made to contact with the end of the casket at the center of the end. The centering of the positioning element P is quite easy to do due to the relative narrowness of the casket and width of the positioning element. In other words, it is quite easy to gauge the centering of the positioning element P by eye.

When both arms 58 of the positioning element P contact with the end of the casket, the operator is insured that the truck is centered under the casket, and the casket can then be lowered, the elongated element E swinging from the dotted position of Figure 6 to the full line position during the lowering of the casket. The dotted position of the elongated element is permitted by moving the socket members 34 against the tension of the springs 50 until the lugs 52 are disengaged from the notches 54. Thereupon the socket members 34 can be swung as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3.

- When the full line position of Figure 6 of the elongated element E is assumed, the lugs 52 drop into the notches 54 under the bias of the springs 50, and the positioning element is thereafter held against pivotal movement. In such position the base plate 56 is engaging the bottom of the casket, and so is the head 26', thus giving a two point contact.

Contact of the head portion 26' with the bottom of the casket prevents any sagging of the positioning element P away from the end of the casket, and the construction permits the use of the handle'Bll as a pulling device for the truck, and also as an aid in lifting both the forward end of the casket and the forward end of the truck as the truck'is pulled across thresholds and the like.

The two point engagement at 56 and 26 are on opposite sides of the center line between the sockets 34 to facilitate operation of the positioning device and the truck as a unit.

The tops of the posts 46 are usually provided with rubber buttons 41 to engage the bottom of the casket. The arms A may also be provided with rubber buttons at 33 to prevent any metallic contact with the bottom of the casket. These however, should be low enough that they do not touch the casket when resting on the buttons 41. Otherwise the desired two point contact at 56 and 26' could not be secured. My device makes it possible to accurately center the casket on the truck, thus eliminating all danger of upset or appearance of unbalance. Passing over thresholds, carpets, registers or other irregularities of a floor surface or the like, the casket will not accidentally shift relative to the truck without notice thereof being taken by the attendant manipulating the handle 60.

Although I have shown the device as made of tubular elements l0 and I2 and flat bars A and 28, it is obvious'that other shapes and various materials'may be used, and that other changes may be made without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be'reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck. and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof having an edge means adapted to receive the one end of the casket while said casket is being lowered into place for determining the position of said one end of the casket relative to the truck to thereby center the casket on the truck.

2. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative to the provided with a portion for contacting the easket both before and after the same is positioned on the truck and another portion extending away from the casket to permit being grasped by the hand when the casket is in place and to facilitate manipulation of the truck after the casket is in position on the truck.

3. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, pivot means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative-to the truck, said elongated element being pivotal with respect to casket supports on the truck whereby said positioning element may be elevated to a position contacting with said end of the casket prior to lowering of the casket onto the truck 4. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative to the truck, said elongated element being pivotally connected to the truck whereby said positioning ele ment may be elevated to a position contacting with said end of the casket prior to lowering of the casket onto the truck, and latch means to truck, said positioning element having a handle prevent such pivotal movement after the casket assumes supported position on the truck.

5. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, said means comprising a pair of arms extending laterally therefrom and having their ends connected with the truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the 'casket relative to the truck.

6. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, said means comprising a pair of arms extending laterally therefrom and having pin and socket connections with the truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative to the truck to thereby center the casket on the truck.

7. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative to the truck, means for extending said elongated element a predetermined amount to fix the location of said positioning element at a distance from the truck equal to the desired overhang of the casket relative thereto for centering the casket relative to the truck when the end of the casket is moved into engagement with the positioning element.

8. In a casket positioning device, an elongated determining the position of one end of the casket 5 relative to the truck to thereby center the casket on the truck.

9. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, pivot means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end thereof for determining the position of one end of the casket relative to the truck, said elongated means being rotatable on said pivot means to elevate the positioning means to a location above the truck operable thereby to contact one end of the casket prior to lowering of the casket onto the truck and having contact portions adjacent the pivot means adapted to be tilted into casket supporting position by the lowering of said casket thereby to prevent additional rotatable movement.

10. In a casket positioning device, an elongated element, means for connecting one end thereof to a casket truck comprising extensions secured to the truck at opposite points and intermediate connections from said extensions having a shiftable connection with the elongated element for alining said element with the center of the truck, and a positioning element carried by the outer end of the elongated element for locating the casket upon the truck.

GEORGE C. JAMISON. 

